The United States is interested in pursuing a free trade agreement, which will be known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. As a result, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate the likely economic effects of removing duties and non-tariff barriers on product imports from TPP countries. The probable effects of eliminating tariffs on specific agricultural products are also under investigation. While conducting this analysis, the USITC will use the 2010 Harmonized Tariff Schedule and 2008 trade data.
The USTIC is asking the public for input as it explores the potential effects of the TPP. A public hearing will take place on March 2, 2010 in Washington, D.C., and written submissions for the record will be accepted until March 23, 2010. The USITC’s report to the USTR should be completed by early June.
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